Studying Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication involves the study across cultural and intercultural contexts of verbal and nonverbal messages, the dynamics of human interaction, the challenges of intercultural transitions, and the intricacies of intercultural relationships.  We explore how communication impacts and how it is influenced by factors such as identity, communication style, peace and conflict, historical memories and religion.  The focus is on both domestic and international contexts.

Strengths

• Highly-ranked graduate degree programs, M.A. and Ph.D.
• Integration of social scientific, humanistic, interpretive, and critical perspectives on communication and culture.
• Opportunities to bridge intercultural interests with other specialty areas - interpersonal, organizational,new media, health, rhetorical theory and performance studies.
• Faculty engaged in on-going research and applied projects with local, regional, national, and global organizations.
• Supportive, dynamic environment with collaborative learning.

Faculty

Benjamin Broome, professor
Research interests: intercultural conflict, facilitation, dialogue, peace building

Pauline Hope Cheong, associate professor
Research interests: new media access & appropriation, computer-mediated communication, social and health disparities, minority & marginalized cultures

Dr. Olga Idriss Davis, associate professor
Research interests: health disparities, critical cultural studies, Black cultural performance, Black feminist and womanist theory

Amira de La Garza, associate professor
Research Interests: culture and identity, spirituality, postcolonial methodologies & performance of narratives of cultural identity

Judith Martin, professor
Research Interests: Ethnicity/race & communication, sojourner communication, whiteness studies, computer-mediated communication & culture